Isaiah Joe to Start vs. Bucks as Thunder Shuffle Lineup
isaiah joe will join the Thunder's starting unit for Thursday's game against the Bucks, stepping into the first unit while the team is missing three of its usual five starters — a straight lineup change that reshapes the Thunder's rotation for the matchup.
Isaiah Joe joins the first unit for Thursday’s game
Joe is starting Thursday's game against the Bucks and will join the first unit with multiple regular starters unavailable. The move puts isaiah joe into the lineup after an earlier stint with the starters on Feb. 4, when he logged 37 minutes and finished with two points against San Antonio.
The Thunder's decision to slide Joe into the starting five comes as a direct replacement effort: with three regular starters out, the team has altered its rotation and elevated Joe to the opening lineup for this specific game against Milwaukee.
Kenrich Williams to come off the bench Friday
Kennrich Williams is not in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Nets on Friday and will revert to a bench role after starting the team's final game before the All-Star break. In that Feb. 12 start against the Bucks, Williams played 23 minutes and finished with nine points, eight rebounds and one assist.
Williams' move to the bench is tied to the return of Isaiah Hartenstein from a calf issue; with Hartenstein available again, Williams is being pushed back into a reserve capacity for the Friday contest in Brooklyn.
Rotation impact and what to watch this week
The Thunder will roll into back-to-back game situations with a different look on consecutive nights: Joe in the starting five for Thursday's game against Milwaukee and Williams coming off the bench for Friday's game against the Nets. Expect the team to use those matchups to test lineups while Hartenstein is available for the Friday game.
Joe's earlier extended minutes on Feb. 4 — 37 minutes with two points vs. San Antonio — provide a concrete reference point for his recent performance when thrust into heavier duty. For Williams, the Feb. 12 stat line (23 minutes, nine points, eight rebounds, one assist) is the most recent starting-game benchmark before he moves back to a reserve role.
Thursday's game against the Bucks and Friday's matchup with the Nets are the next confirmed events for these lineup changes; the Thunder will field Joe in the starting five on Thursday and list Williams off the bench for Friday's game with Hartenstein back in the rotation.
